September 2023

ANOTHER GOLD POINT OPPORTUNITY!!  DON’T MISS OUT ON THE DISTRICT 4 NORTH AMERICAN PAIRS FINALS

When you played bridge this summer, did you get your “Q?” Meaning… did you get “qualified” to join in the fun of playing in the District NAP Finals events? If so, grab a “Q”ualified partner and make plans to play.  

CLICK HERE for the list of District players who have qualified (listed by Unit, and then alphabetically within the Unit). Also, make note of which Flight(s) you have qualified to play in (you may play in any/all Flights in which you qualified).  

I am pleased to share that the District Finals games are more accessible to members because they are being held at even more locations. Details regarding locations, entry fees and the pre-registration deadline/process are available on the District 4 website – HERE. A quick list of dates and locations for each of the Flights appears below.

• Flight A: Sept 30-Oct 1;  Cherry Hill NJ
• Flight B will be held on Sept 23 at three locations:
• North Wales PA
• Camp Hill PA
• Canandaigua NY
• Flight C will be held on Sept 30 at six locations:
• King of Prussia, PA
• Cherry Hill, NJ
• Rehoboth Beach, DE
• Fairport, NY
• Pine City, NY
• Camp Hill, PA

Full information about NAPs, including the 2023 Conditions of Contest, is available at www.4acbl.org  under the menu selection “NAP/GNT”.

LANCASTER REGIONAL – OCTOBER 30 – NOVEMBER 5

Rooms for the Lancaster Regional famously sell out fast… in fact, rooms at the Warehouse Hotel are already about 80% filled – and that’s before sending out any advertising! There are three other hotels within 5 minutes, all good choices for your stay. Two of these hotels are even offering small “bridge” discounts. Details about these nearby hotels and discounts can be found on the Lancaster Regional webpage, under “Hotel Information”.

The game schedule is similar to last year, with Bracketed Teams every day, and Pairs Monday thru Saturday (Gold Rush, Mid-Flight, A/X Open). The one game addition is ONLINE pairs (Gold Rush, Mid-Flight, and Open) which will be held on Sunday, November 5.

If you were dissatisfied with the food at last year’s event, rest assured much work has gone into rectifying that problem. A meal plan was developed to provide something hot and tasty (and different) each day, and includes a GF/Vegan option. Take a look at the week’s menu HERE.

You probably know much of the rest… free parking, great Monday night hospitality following the 2^nd session, it’s a cashless event… plus – No Covid Vaccination required. However, NEW for 2023 is …. drum roll …. evening events. Think board games, maybe Pictionary … we are still working on the details, but plan to make it very social and loads of fun!

For all the latest information & updates, check our webpage on the District 4 website, www.4acbl.org 

FINGER LAKES REGIONAL is in the books!

District 4’s single up-state NY Regional made its first post-Covid appearance in August. Held at a new location, it was a new experience and great success.  The Louis Wolk JCC is an impressive facility and well-suited for bridge. During the week, as is tradition for District 4 Regionals, delicious meals were provided by their on-site caterer. In the post-tournament survey, attendees responded very positively.  

If you did not have a chance to attend this year, consider reserving the week of August 5-9, 2024 on your calendar and experience both this tournament and the lovely Greater Rochester area. You won’t be disappointed!

The Chicago NABC was held in a beautiful hotel right on the Chicago River. The playing areas were all in the hotel and the surrounding area was full of lots of restaurant choices. The weather also cooperated with mild temperatures.



One of the highlights of the Chicago NABC was the Hall of Fame dinner. The entire Board of Directors attended to honor Jay Whipple, who was inducted into the ACBL Hall of Fame with the Blackwood Award. Jay’s volunteer efforts for the game of bridge and the ACBL are too numerous to mention. It was wonderful to see his accomplishments rewarded at the ceremony.

The Chicago NABC surpassed the predicted table count of 7,606. There were 8,347 tables in play – 10% more than anticipated – another positive sign that face-to-face bridge is returning.

The virtual bridge landscape is also changing. Face-to-face club play is steadily increasing and online play is decreasing as more and more of our players return to their local clubs.

When the pandemic hit, a plan was put into place that was designed to protect virtual clubs so that they would remain viable until the pandemic was behind us. Include lists and guest lists were created at that time. The time has come to remove these restrictions and allow players to play where they want. 

As of August 1, 2023, when you click on “virtual clubs” on BBO, you will see every game listed according to the time they are being held and you can choose to play anywhere. Be aware that there is still a cap on overall masterpoint awards for games over 25 tables. This restriction allows smaller club games to be more competitive because your chance of winning masterpoints is greater in a smaller field and the masterpoint advantage of large games has been removed.

Since guests at virtual clubs were limited on a percentage basis (initially 5% and later 15%), smaller virtual bridge clubs were put at a competitive disadvantage. Removing these restrictions will allow smaller virtual clubs to be more competitive and creative with pricing and advertising.

As the ACBL board moves away from being motion-driven to being more of a collaborative body, discussing issues and teaming with management, there were fewer than usual motions introduced at our board meetings and more emphasis on the strategic future of the organization.

A complete report of actions that were taken at the board meeting can be found here.

As always, please contact me with any questions – joannglasson@msn.com.

Joann

Regionals

Manheim, PA

October 30-November 5

Allentown, PA NLM

December 14-16

Sectionals

Wilmington, DE

September 8-10

Camp Hill, PA

September 22-23

Philadelphia, PA

October 6-8

Allentown, PA

October 20-22

Seneca Falls, NY

November 11-12

Allentown, PA NLM

December 14-16

STaCs

D4; U135 (D6)

November 13-19

For a full year D4 calendar, click here.

Schwaidelson's Fractured Four-Hand Tales

Moderator: Nick Straguzzi

Three HCP, passed hand with a massive fit after partner's rebid over opps' balancing double - what to do? Find out what the solvers think here.

The Finger Lakes Regional was well attended. Thank you to the tournament committee, Phil Geibel, Jim Patton, Mary Miller, Dan Boye, Joann Glasson and Betty Youmans for an enjoyable event. The daily lectures by Joann Glasson, Mary Miller, Mary Poplawski and Dan Boye received high praise from the participants. The many volunteers who helped with set up and staffed the welcome, Intermediate/Newcomer, and partnership tables and then tore the room down on Friday were greatly appreciated. The directors did a great job. Special thanks to all who attended!

The Rochester Fall Sectional Tournament will be held on October 7-8 at the Gates Recreation Center. Pairs events will be on Saturday with Swiss teams on Sunday. Please come, have fun and earn some silver! 

Unit 112 Congratulates its Advancing Players:

Junior Master

Cole Seidl

Club Master

Brian Card

Janice Huss

Andrea Welch

Advanced NABC Master

Donald Boyce

Gold Life Master

Philip Geibel

Platinum Life Master

Roger Woodin

Hello Unit 120!! There is still time for those of you who have not yet made your reservations for the upcoming Unit 120 party being held at Glenmaura on Sunday September 10. The game begins at 12:30 pm. Buffet dinner and dessert plus one session of bridge and hot and cold drinks all day. Cost is $25.00 and check to be made out to Unit 120. Please include your partner's name in the memo field. Send your check c/o yours truly 46 Birch Ave, Nanticoke, PA 18634.

August was filled with new achievements!  

Life Master

Cecily C Myers

Advanced Master

Victoria B Tarleton

Club Master

Rosemary D Olofsson

Junior Master

Arsenio Velez

Sectional Master

Gene Gerlach

Rookie

Becky Vosburg

Junior Masters

Margie Conahan

Nancy McGuire

WOW, what a list! Please take the time to congratulate them all!

Labor Day is usually celebrated with friends and family barbecues and marks the unofficial end to summer. But the first Monday of September holds a much deeper meaning which started in the 19^th century fight for fair working conditions.

Labor Day was first passed as a legal holiday June 28, 1894.  Earlier that year, President Grover Cleveland sent in the military to squash the Pullman Railway Strike. A few days after the strike ended, President Cleveland pushed through the law to recognize Labor Day in a “gesture towards organized labor.”

At the time of the Labor Day forming, unions were fighting for specific improvements in working conditions such as eight-hour workdays and alternatives to the capitalist wage systems.

Now, most businesses either celebrate the holiday by giving the employees the day off or additional pay for employees who work on the holiday.

As for the eternal question “Can I wear white after Labor Day?” the answer is as follows:

Questions? Email me at doreeset@gmail.com.

As we look forward to Labor Day celebrations, with family and friends, please take a moment to remember all the people who have sacrificed for the good of our wonderful country. We are especially grateful for all the first responders who work so hard to keep us safe and healthy.

Happy Labor Day!

In Memoriam

Peter Ottesen, 86, of Bethlehem passed away on Saturday, July, 29, 2023. Peter was born in Oslo, Norway. He graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology and went on to earn an MBA from DePaul University. He returned to Norway for thirteen years to raise a family before moving to New Jersey and, eventually, Pennsylvania.

Peter was well-traveled and deeply appreciated classical music, reading, playing tennis, golf, and duplicate bridge. He and his wife Lori were both Life Masters. Later in life, he became a published author.

Peter was a devoted husband, father, stepfather, and grandfather. He will be remembered with love and countless wonderful memories. (Information contributed by Bill Forrester)

New Rank Advancements - Congratulations!

Junior Masters

Wallace Borene

Faith Decesare

Frank Haig

Norman Sumner

Bronze Life Master

Craig Bailey

Silver Life Master

Lee Stanley

Unit 133 Fall Sectional October 20 and 21, 2023 

Location: 

Lehigh Valley Active Life 

1633 West Elm St. 

Allentown PA

Schedule: Friday October 20 and Saturday October 21 

10am and 2:15pm, Stratified Open Pairs, 0-750 pairs, and 0-199 pairs.

Fee: $10 per session per person (does not include lunch), payable through Entry Express or credit card at the door. 



For more information about purchasing lunch, please contact Lois Fuini at lafuini@yahoo.com or our website at www.bridgewebs.com/lvbaunit133. 

First-Ever District 4 NLM Regional 

Location: 

Lehigh Valley Active Life 

1633 West Elm Street 

Allentown PA 18102 

Schedule: Friday, December 15 and Saturday, December 16 

10am and 2:15pm - 0-750 NLM pairs 10am - 0-200 pairs

2:15pm - 0-200 pairs

No player may exceed the event limit. 

Fee: Cashless Tournament

$15 per person per session 

Payable through Entry Express or credit card at the door. 

Lunch: $10 prepaid lunches can be ordered from Lois Fuini. Please send a check payable to LVBA to Lois Fuini, 3944 Shirley Drive, Schnecksville PA 18078. Choose an Italian, Turkey, Roast Beef, Roasted Veggie or Cheese Hoagie. Questions, contact Lois at lafuini@yahoo.com. 

ACBL and local COVID protocols will be followed. 0-750 games pay gold and red points.

0-200 games pay red points only.Watch for more information on our website at wwwbridgewebs.com/lvbaunit133. 

Annual Meeting and Holiday Party 

Location: 

Brookside Country Club 

901 Willow Lane 

Macungie, PA

Schedule: Saturday November 11

12:00pm Social and Cash Bar 12:30pm Dinner and Meeting 

2:00pm Bridge Games (Open & 0-500 NLM) 

Fee: $30 for Unit 133 members, $45 for non-members (due by October 30)

How do I make a reservation? 

1. Mail checks (payable to LVBA) and registration form (one for each player) to:

Bryan Snapp

4658 Parkview Drive 

S. Emmaus PA 18049 -1212

2. Pay by cash or check (payable to LVBA) at club games.

For registration form, click here.

If you have questions, please email Lois Fuini at lafuini@yahoo. 

Our third full month of North American Pairs qualifying games at the clubs has concluded by the time you read this. I am delighted to report that as of August 21, 763 PCBA members from Abrams to Zumoff have qualified for play in the District finals. If you want to check your status, click here – and remember to scroll down to Unit 141!  Unfortunately, if you failed to Q in June, July or August, you cannot play in the District finals for a chance to win a subsidized trip to Louisville next spring. For information on dates and playing sites for the District Finals, click here.

Coming up in October will be a PCBA sectional at South Jersey Bridge Club (Oct 6-8). This club is run by the warm and wonderful Bernadette Hennessy May, and the event is a guaranteed good time. Free Intermediate lessons are planned before the morning sessions on Friday and Saturday and the King of Prussia Bridge Club will be organizing carpools from their club.

A warm welcome to our newest PCBA members!

Lesley Brown

Gina Cline

Beverly Cutler 

Elissa Ginsburg

Hannah Parish

Pete Peterson

Linda Preske

Andrea Price

Victoria Woods

Congratulations to our members who achieved a new rank!

Junior Masters

David J Ackerman

Janet M Barbera

Jack Carballo

Mary Rachel Faris

Arlene Fiorilli

Alice C Hennessy

Richard J Liburdi

Lisa Marks

Eli D Shuster

Ellen Wang

Jeff Wilson

Bruce A Zucker

Club Masters

Pamela C Cole

Toby Feld

Joe Hirt

Cyma R Satell

Bonnie Solish

Clare Stuempfig

Martin R Trumpler

Sectional Masters

Sharon Harris

Jeanne G Mellor

Scott D Metzler

Diana Probasco

Peter Probasco

Lawrence B Stetson

Regional Masters

Steven Binnick

Gwendolen Bryant

Gay P Gervin

Deedie McMahon

Stephen R McReynolds

Mark A Nath

Stuart A Scherr

NABC Masters

Charlotte Cogan

Linda H Dutton

William Gormley

Gerald A Kean

Marc Rothschild

Rose M Stinnett

June Zumoff

Advanced NABC Masters

Emily Losciuto

Susan Packer

Cheryl A Rouge

Life Master

Ross A Currie

Linda W O'Malley

John F O'Rourke

Judi Wexler

Bronze Life Masters

Jennifer S James

Silver Life Masters

 Lynn Lonker

Steven Schultz

Ruby Life Masters

David Amsterdam

Donna Saffren

Catherine B Strauss

Gold Life Masters

Dara L Dinner

Andrew Rosenberg

It’s a while off, but please plan to join us for our next sectional tournament May 31 – June 2, 2024.

4Spot | September 2023 | Editor: Susan Morse